Anxiety is a part of the human condition. Everyone experiences at least a modicum of worry, concern, or nervousness from time to time. The idea of a long weekend stuck with the in-laws, an upcoming exam, or a major life change can make even the chillest of the chill break out in a mild cold sweat.
For the lucky ones out there, who have never battled an anxiety issue or disorder, it is pretty hard to imagine just how exhausting, draining, even soul-crushing it can be.
Key takeaways
- Choose CBD Oil for Anxiety Relief: Discover CBD oil as a non-intoxicating, alternative option for easing your anxiety, and avoiding the side effects of traditional meds.
- Backed by Research: Learn about studies proving CBD’s effectiveness in reducing anxiety and improving sleep, offering you scientific assurance.
- Your Body’s ECS and CBD: Understand how CBD works with your endocannabinoid system to promote calmness, playing a key role in anxiety management.
- Personalize Your Dose: Start with a small dose and adjust based on your response, with sublingual use recommended for faster, effective relief.
- Read User Reviews: Explore real reviews to find the best CBD oil for your needs, making an informed choice based on others’ experiences.
When anxiety takes the big leap from a ‘once in a blue moon’ occurrence to a daily struggle, it’s truly life-altering.
The worry and stress, combined with the physical symptoms like heart palpitations, dizziness, tingling in the hands and feet, and shortness of breath, can be really scary – and that’s not even mentioning the overwhelming feeling of impending doom that accompanies a panic attack.
And while there are conventional pharmaceutical options out there for dealing with anxiety – benzo’s, SSRIs, and the like – the heavy side effects and the burden of dependence (and potential withdrawal symptoms) can make these options just one more cause for concern.
This is where CBD oil enters the picture.
In today’s write-up, we will take an honest, unbiased look at what the emerging science is saying about CBD and anxiety relief.
Does CBD oil help reduce anxiety levels?
In short – yes, there is now a bunch of research showing that cannabidiol (CBD) helps reduce anxiety.
But we are getting ahead of ourselves…
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of 113 cannabinoids to have been isolated from cannabis (and hemp) plants so far. The other famous cannabinoid is THC, but these two natural-health starlets work in very different ways.
CBD is totally non-intoxicating, meaning it won’t get you high. Instead, science is showing that CBD works by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), along with other systems that promote relaxation and calmness.
But why does CBD – a compound found in cannabis plants – help reduce anxiety in humans?
To answer this, we have to explain the endocannabinoid system.
What is the Endocannabinoid System?
The ECS is a complex network of receptors and neurotransmitters found throughout our body. It’s actually the largest neurochemical system in the body and is responsible for maintaining balance (or homeostasis) in our various physiological and psychological functions.
Now, you might have noticed that the word cannabinoid is in endocannabinoid. Well, that’s because the ECS was named after the cannabis plant – not because we have an inherent affinity for getting high, but because our bodies naturally produce cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) that interact with the receptors in the ECS, producing a wide range of effects.
The ECS directly influences our mood, pain and inflammatory response, appetite, sleep patterns, and yes – anxiety levels. When the body’s own endocannabinoids bind with the CB1 and CB2 receptors, it helps to promote a sense of calmness and relaxation, as well as a plethora of other health benefits.
This is where CBD comes in.
Because it mimics the effects of our endocannabinoids, as well as interacting with our serotonin and dopamine receptors, CBD can help decrease anxiety levels.
What does the research say about CBD and anxiety relief?
Now that we have that out of the way, let’s look at the interesting stuff – the research!
A 2017 study is where we will start. Focusing on the panic felt around public speaking, the results were very clear. The participants were split into two groups, with one group receiving 300 mg of CBD, and the others 600 mg.
Both groups reported a marked decrease in anxiety while engaging in a public speaking task and afterwards.
An earlier study looked into the effect of CBD for people suffering from SAD (social anxiety disorder). Again, the group was split into two groups, but this time, the second group was given a placebo. The study showed that
“Relative to placebo, CBD was associated with significantly decreased subjective anxiety”
The last study we will highlight looked at the relationship between anxiety and sleep, and if CBD could help improve both. The results showed that CBD helped decrease anxiety levels and improved sleep quality in participants.
This is just a small sample of the research out there, but it is clear that CBD for anxiety issues is a treatment avenue for anxiety sufferers to explore.
How to choose the best CBD oil for anxiety?
CBD oil (and cannabis-based medicines, more generally) works differently for everyone. This is because we all have unique endocannabinoid systems, and our bodies may respond uniquely to CBD oil based on factors like genetics, lifestyle, and diet.
Read the reviews!
The whole reason we created this site was to offer a place for CBD oil users to leave real, in-depth reviews of the different CBD products offered here in the UK. If you’re new to the CBD revolution, have a browse and see what the masses are saying!
Does the method of administration matter?
Yes, it certainly does.
For those looking to try CBD oil for anxiety, the best advice we can give is to start low and go slow.
Begin with a small dose of high-quality CBD oil (around 10-15 mg), taken sublingually, and see how your body and anxiety levels respond. If you find that you are not feeling any anti-anxiety effects, you can slowly begin to increase the dosage size over a few days or weeks until you do feel your anxiety start to melt away.
Sublingually?
Taking CBD oil sublingually means dropping the CBD oil under your tongue and leaving it there to soak into the blood vessels without swallowing for around one minute. This method allows the CBD to bypass the digestive tract, allowing for faster relief and more of the CBD reaching those precious ECS, dopamine, and serotonin receptors.
The wrap-up
The best CBD oil for anxiety is the one that works best for you.
Have a browse of the reviews, and see if any users have reported a decrease in anxiety levels while using a specific CBD oil or product.
CBD oil for anxiety can take a little trial and error, so go into the process with an open mind and a willingness to experiment.
And remember, anxiety is a complex issue. CBD oil should not be seen as a cure but as a complementary treatment option that may help to reduce symptoms and improve overall well-being.
